Utah's Governor has asked the Legislature for enough money to expand a program called Project Empower into four more counties across the state. The program is aimed at reducing alcohol and substance abuse among teens, and the expansion would cost over $700,000.

"Weber Human Services officials said the program has helped reduce depression, separation anxiety, anti-social behaviors – all risk factors for dangerous behaviors."

Project Empower works with high-risk offenders who are one step away from juvenile prison. Programs such as this one often reduce the rate of repeat criminal activity by about 30 percent.

Labels: prevention, risky_behaviors, treatment